During the fall, we are experiencing transition and change — a strong shift in weather, the changing of the leaves and preparing for the upcoming winter.

Chinese Medicine views autumn as a season of “letting go.” We encourage you to let go of things that are weighing on your mind that do not support your highest good. Release negative energy and thoughts, and allow yourself to be present to what is going on right in front of you.

Fall is also the beginning of yin cycle, or the shortening of the days. With shorter hours of sunlight (Daylight Savings Time ends on November 5) we begin to prepare for the winter months, or harvesting. Take the time now to enjoy the outdoors and the harvest that will soon no longer be available.

As we welcome the new season, here are some more tips for both physical and mental health:

Sustaining a proper sleep cycle is important during the beginning of the yin cycle of winter, as people’s schedules often change. Be sure you are nourishing your body with the proper amount of rest each night!

Eat and drink things that are lubricating and soothing to nourish your yin. These foods include coconut milk, almond milk, aduki beans, barley, spelt, walnut, eggs and mangos. Avoid drinking anything that is hot and drying such as alcohol or coffee.

Support your yin by allowing yourself to slow down. A busy, stressful lifestyle depletes your yin and leaves you fatigued over time. Adding short meditations and deep-breath sessions to your day can make a world of difference.

Coming in for a fall acupuncture session is another great way to balance the transition from the yang summer to the yin winter. We look forward to seeing you

Hi Dr. Quinn – I am concerned about the toxicity of sunscreens. Would you shed some light on this subject?The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently reviewed the dangers of sunscreen. Most commercially available sunscreens contain two major toxic chemicals; Oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting chemical, and retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin-A that has been shown to accelerate the growth of skin tumors. The EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens with vitamin A (look for “retinyl palmitate” or “retinol” on the label). Unfortunately, many ‘all-natural’ and organic, less-toxic sunscreens contain forms of zinc and titanium, which can have their own health risks in high doses. Ultimately, the EWG states that the best protection from the harmful UVA rays of the sun is a physical barrier such as clothing or shade. Below is a list of EWG-recommended sunscreen brands. For the complete list of specific products and ratings visit the EWG website at http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreenAubrey Organics, Ava Anderson Non Toxic, Babo Botanicals, Badger Balm, California Baby, Elemental Herbs, Babytime by Episencial, Goddess Garden, Juice Beauty, Marie Veronique Organics, MyChelle Dermaceuticals, Raw Elements, Thinkbaby, True Natural

Eating Right forSUMMERTIME

Monica Mae Leibson, Dipl. Ac.

Summer is a time to grow and expand. We see trees blossoming and the sun shining radiantly. We can match our internal energy too by waking early in the summer, playing in the garden, and exploring the natural world around us. Traditional Chinese Medicine places great importance on eating right for the season. Eating less and eating light foods on hot days is a natural way of being in tune with the rhythms of the summer months. There are also specific foods that keep us in balance during this time.

These foods are sure to keep us hydrated so that our bodies can handle the heat of summer :

Mix ingredients together, toss gently with dressing, marinate for several hoursLet marinate several hoursServes 4Recipes from Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

A few moments with Eran Reznik

Q: Tell us a bit about your background and how you got into massage.

I knew for quite some time that I wanted to help people through practicing some kind of holistic medicine. Living in Israel at the time, the most serious training program was Traditional Chinese medicine. I studied to be an acupuncturist. I also wanted to be able to connect and help people through touch so I joined a Shiatsu program

Q:What makes your massage unique?

I believe touch is an essential tool in healing and have always been told I have gifted hands!. When I graduated from TCM school I wanted to expend my tools and went to study massage therapy.

The treatments I do are very different from the average massage. I combine techniques from massage, shiatsu, the use of acupressure points and the vast knowledge I have received in my Chinese medicine training. I look at the body as a whole and make the connection between the emotional and mental state to the physiological condition and the way the body is aligned.

Q:What type of conditions do you see in your practice?

I see many orthopedic issues involving lower back or hip pain and lots of shoulder and neck tension that are accompanied by chronic headaches and migraines. Most of them are inner connected to emotions that, when aligned, allow for the proper movement of energy in the body.

In Chinese medicine, the impact of seasonal allergies are related to the qi energy of the lung. The lung’ qi is our “defensive qi” and thereby prevents environmental factors from invading the body. Whenever the body is affected by any outside influence (like weather, mold, cats, dogs), this is a sign that the “lung qi” is not strong enough to protect the body. This is why there are two treatment strategies for seasonal allergies!
First, when symptoms are severe, the treatment strategy is to release the pathogen from our body. Acupuncture is the #1 way to accomplish this. Most patients notice an immediate difference in their allergies after acupuncture.The second treatment strategy is to support the lung qi so that allergy symptoms will be reduced or eliminated in the future. Acupuncture, along with Chinese Herbal Medicine and diet can make a significant difference! This is a strategy that we work on as maintenance treatment before allergy season begins!

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Acupuncture and Fertility Study

“Doctors with expertise in reproductive medicine have recently published that acupuncture and herbs are useful in the treatment of infertility, complications related to childbirth and for several other gynecological concerns. The doctors cited research stating that acupuncture and herbal medicine improve the success rate of in vitro fertilization. Pregnancy rates are improved in subfertile women undergoing IVF and in women with PCOS wherein ovulation may be restored using acupuncture. In the latter, acupuncture is noted as a treatment option for both reproductive issues and endocrine disturbances for women with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).”

According to Reproductive Medicine Specialists from Penn State University, University of Gothenbery and Heilognjiang University

Make this a happy & healthy Summer.Don’t take a vacation from your health.
Call for an appointment today.